History of Mudumalai Forest Reserve: One of the Best National Parks in Tamil Nadu

Mudumalai came to be known as Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in April 2007 to conserve the declining Tiger populations in India. At present, around 48 tigers roam in the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The formation of the Tiger Reserve in Mudumalai led to the eviction of around 350 families in that area.

After paying compensation of nearly 1 million INR to these residents, the Tamil Nadu State Government enhanced its income through ecotourism. In the year 2010, the National Tiger Conservation Authority, estimating a total cost of around Rs. 4 crores, approved the “Project Tiger” in Mudumalai.

Flora & Wildlife in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai Forest Reserve is home to more than 500 species of wildlife, birds, insects, and reptiles. Many national parks in India have awe-striking flora but the plant life you will witness in Mudumalai is undoubtedly astounding. The Moyar River flows through this sanctuary serving as a thirst-quenching source for the flora and fauna of this reserve.

Flora

This sanctuary features three main types of forests viz.:

tropical moist deciduous,
tropical dry deciduous, and
southern tropical dry thorn forests

The tropical moist deciduous forests are found in the western Benne Block which experiences higher rainfall than the other blocks. You will find the tropical dry deciduous forests in the middle. The southern tropical dry thorn forests lie in the eastern area.

You may also find patches of tropical semi-evergreen forests in the western and the south-western part of Mudumalai. Two species of huge bamboo brakes are found in the dry deciduous forests which are eaten by elephants and gaur living around. The dry deciduous and dry thorn forests nestle more mammal species than the other habitats.

Apart from bamboo, the presence of wild rice, turmeric, cinnamon, wild ginger, guava, mango, pepper, etc. makes it one of the best national parks in Tamil Nadu. The plants serve as the feeding and resting source of mammals in the sanctuary.

Fauna

The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has a high diversity of endangered as well as vulnerable animal species. You will find many types of fauna in the wilderness of this national park. This sanctuary huddles the Indian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, and Gaur - the Indian Bison.

Apart from this, there is a large biodiversity of around 21 species of amphibians, 50 species of fish, 34 species of reptiles, 227 species of birds, and a total of 55 mammal species. Did you know that the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary shelters a total of 13% mammal species and 8% birds in India?

You will also spot the Indian White-rumped Vulture and long-billed vulture if you are lucky enough. The Bonnet Macaque, Langur, Squirrels, Flying Squirrels, Sambar, Chital, Mouse Deer, and Barking Deer are the dominant animal species here.

Avifauna

Not only fauna, but the Mudumalai Forest Reserve is also rich in avifauna. This is another reason to add this destination into your bucket list if you want to explore the wildlife in India.

The predominant avifaunal species in the sanctuary are Black Woodpecker, Barbets, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Parakeets, Mynas, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Gray Hornbill, Crested Hawk Eagle, Cuckoos, and Crested Serpent Eagle.

Best Time to Visit & Why?

Well connected by the national highway, this sanctuary is open throughout the year. However, it is best to visit it in the early summers (February to May) or after the monsoon (September to October). Large trees like Sandalwood, Bamboo, Mahogany, and Teak grow very tall, blocking the sunlight, even on the sunniest days. So, it is better to reach Mudumalai Reserve during noontime.

You can travel to Mudumalai by bus or train as per your preference. Many buses are available all day long so that you can travel whenever you want. Mysore and Ooty railway stations are the nearest to the sanctuary. If you are planning to go by car, you must know that private vehicles are not allowed inside the reserve.

Hotels

Since it is a huge tourist attraction, you will easily find beautiful resorts in the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary. You will find most of the hotels close to the park. You can find a low-price hotel with warm hospitality and comfortable lodging facilities even if you are on a low budget. However, if you are visiting at peak time, make sure to book in advance as some of the best resorts in the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary fill up fast and might lead to last moment hassles.

Entry Fee

Rs. 15 for every adult visitor; extra Rs. 55 for still camera and Rs. 315 for video camera

Opening Hours

06:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

When Not to Visit?

You should avoid going to this sanctuary during the hot summers of June or in the monsoon seasons (July to August). In June, it gets very hot and dry due to which there are chances of the forest fire. Monsoon leaves the reserve very muddy and full of insects making it unsuitable for trekking or even exploring. You may not be able to spot various animals if you plan your trip in winter.

Unique Things to Do

If you are all set to visit this beautiful attraction, keep a note of these fun things you can do:

1. Jungle Safari

Safari is the main attraction of Mudumalai National Park because it allows you to explore wildlife and fauna in a better way. You cannot do advanced bookings for Jungle safari but you can easily get the tickets for it. You can spot panthers, tigers, pythons, barking deer, etc. through van jungle safari.

2. Elephant Safari

If you are more adventurous, why not take the elephant safari instead? It is an experience worth taking! Sit on the back of trained elephants and explore the woods.

3. Elephant Camps

Elephants camps at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary give you an amazing chance to connect with playful, baby elephants. You can watch kumki elephants play in their camps, eat ragi and rice balls, and have fun around.

4. Camping

What's more relaxing than a day dedicated to jungle camping? Engage with nature and accommodate yourself in your tent. Build your roaring campfire and enjoy the breathtaking view around.

5. Bird Watching

The bird species in Mudumalai can be categorized in 110 insectivore species, 62 carnivore species, 12 omnivore species, 20 granivore species, and 23 piscivore species. Can you ask for more?

6. Trekking

Trekking is the perfect thing to do for exploratory visitors in Mudumalai. Although you are not allowed to trek inside the core forest area for your safety concerns, you can contact the travel planners to help you explore the park from other destinations.